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Chinese Vice President Hu Jintao (L) is welcomed by Singaporean Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Istana Presidential Palace in Singapore, 26 April 2002. Hu is in Singapore on an overnight visit as part of an international debut ahead of his expected rise to China's top leadership posts this year. Singapore's first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, one of the towering figures of post-colonial Asian politics, died Monday in hospital, the government said. Lee's son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a statement that he is "deeply grieved to announce the passing of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the founding Prime Minister of Singapore". "Mr Lee passed away peacefully at the Singapore General Hospital today at 3.18 am," the statement said. He was 91. AFP PHOTOGEORGE GASCON/AFP/Getty Images